Gaura plant named ‘Gaudros’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Gaura  plant, substantially as herein illustrated and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by a well-branched, compact habit, continuous flowering, pink flowers, green foliage and early to flower.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Gauralindheimeri.

Varietal denomination: ‘Gaudros’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct Gaura plant,botanically known as Gaura lindheimeri, and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘Gaudros.’

The new cultivar was developed by the inventor in a controlled breedingprogram during 2000, at Enkhuizen, The Netherlands. The new Gauracultivar is characterized by a well-branched, compact habit, continuousflowering, green foliage and early to flower.

The female (seed) parent of ‘Gaudros’ was ‘B0012-1,’ an unpatented Gauralindheimeri that is not known by any synonyms. The male (pollen) parentof ‘Gaudros’ was ‘C0013-1,’ also an unpatented Gaura lindheimeri that isnot known by any synonyms. ‘Gaudros’ was selected in May 2001 as asingle flowering plant from within the F2 progeny of the above statedcross and was initially designated ‘D0010-1.’

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar at Enkhuizen, The Netherlandsand Sarrians, France was carried out by the use of terminal stemcuttings, and has demonstrated that the new variety is stable andreproduces true to type in successive generations of asexualreproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was found that the cultivar of the present invention:

-   -   a) Exhibits pink flowers;    -   b) Forms green foliage; and    -   c) Exhibits an upright and very well branched growth habit

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new Gaura plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographicdrawing which shows blooms, buds and foliage of the plant in full color,the color shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of this new Gaura. The data which defines thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inEnkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 16 week oldplants blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse and grown in a 13cm container.

Color readings were taken in the greenhouse under ambient light. Colorreferences are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London.

TABLE 1 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE NEW CULTIVAR ‘GAUDROS’, ITS PARENTS ANDA SIMILAR CULTIVAR ‘Gaudros’ ‘B0012-1’ ‘C0013-1’ ‘Siskyou Pink’ Flowercolor Pink Rose White Light Pink Height 50 cm 80 cm 60 cm 60 cmBranching Very good Good Poor Poor ‘Siskyou pink’ is not patented.

-   The plant:    -   -   Classification.—Botanical: Gaura lindheimeri.        -   Cultivar name.—‘Gaudros’.        -   Parentage.—Female parent: A seedling named ‘B0012-1’ is one            of our seedlings from our B-generation of plants bred            in 1999. Pollen parent: A seedling named ‘C0013-1’ is one of            our seedlings from our C-generation of plants bred in 2000.        -   Growth habit.—Upright.        -   Plant height.—50-70 cm.        -   Spreading area of plant.—20-30 cm.        -   Strength.—Very resistant to hot and cold weather.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching and lateral branching at            every node.        -   Number of lateral branches.—15-30.        -   Blooming period.—From May until November.        -   Propagation.—Vegetative stem cuttings.        -   Sexuality.—Hermaphrodite.        -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 12 days at            temperatures of 22 degrees centigrade is needed to produce            rooted cuttings.        -   Root system.—Fibrous, branching, the color is N157C.-   The stem:    -   -   Diameter.—2-4 mm.        -   Length.—50-70 cm.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Anthocyan pigmentation.—Present, color 185A.        -   Color of the stem.—138C.        -   Length of internode.—20-40 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Slightly pubescent.-   The foliage:    -   -   Phyllotaxis.—Alternate.        -   Shape of blade.—Lanceolate to oblanceolate.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Texture.—Upper side: Slightly pubescent. Lower side:            Slightly pubescent.        -   Venation.—Pinnate.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire to very slightly dentate.        -   Leaf base.—Attenuate.

    -   Leaf apex.—Acute.        -   Length.—20-45 mm.        -   Width.—10-23 mm.        -   Depth of incision.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Color.—Upper side: 146A. Lower side: 146B.        -   Color of venation.—Upper side: 143B. Lower side: 143C.-   The bud:    -   -   Peduncle length.—12-18 cm.        -   Peduncle diameter.—2-3 mm.        -   Peduncle strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Peduncle texture.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Peduncle angle.—Upright.        -   Peduncle color.—141C.        -   Pedicel length.—3-6 mm.        -   Pedicel diameter.—1 mm.        -   Pedicel color.—181B.        -   Pedicel surface.—Slightly hairy.        -   Stipule length.—1-3 mm.        -   Stipule width.—1-2 mm.        -   Stipule shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Stipule color.—Upper side: 146C. Lower side: 146C.        -   Bud size.—Diameter: 2 mm. Length: 6-8 mm.        -   Bud shape.—Tubular.        -   Bud colour.—182D.        -   Bud surface.—Pubescent.        -   Sepals.—Color (Upper side): 182D. Color (Lower side): 182D.            Form: Upright. Surface (Upper side): Pubescent. Surface            (Lower side): Pubescent. Number: 4, fused at tip. Length:            7-11 mm. Width: 1.5-2.5 mm. Shape: Tubular. Apex: Acute.            Base: Subcordate. Margin: Entire.-   The flower:    -   -   Type of inflorescence.—Spicate raceme.        -   Flower shape.—Single, cruciform.        -   Flower color.—Upper side: 68B. Lower side: 68A.        -   Flower size.—Height: 14-16 mm. Width: 18-20 mm.        -   Petals, number.—4, non-overlapping.        -   Petal shape.—Oblanceolate.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal apex.—Acute to obtuse.        -   Petal base.—Attenuate.        -   Petal length.—7-9 mm.        -   Petal width.—7-9 mm.        -   Petal texture.—Upper side: Smooth. Lower side: Smooth.        -   No. of flowers per inflorescence.—40-60.        -   Length of inflorescence (at end of flowering cycle).—25-60            cm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—5-6 cm.        -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.        -   Bloom time of one inflorescence.—New florets continue to            open in one inflorescence over a period of 25 days.        -   Lastingness of one flower on the plant.—3-4 days.        -   Lastingness of one flower off the plant.—Less than 12 hours.        -   Number of flowers open at one time in one            inflorescence.—1-2.-   The reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamens quantity: 8. Stamen length: 12 mm.            Stamen colour: N155A. Anther shape: Elongated. Anther            length: 0.8 mm. Anther width: 0.2 mm. Anther color: 9D.            Pollen amount: Plentiful pollen. Pollen color: 9D.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistils quantity: 1. Pistil length: 12 mm. Stigma            color: 4D. Stigma shape: Lobed. Number of lobes: 4. Style            color: N155A. Ovary color: 141D. Ovary position: Inferior.            Ovary shape: Elongated. Ovary dimensions: 0.2 mm in width            and 0.5 mm in length.-   Seeds:    -   -   One seed is formed per flower.—Seed size — Length: 3 mm.            Width: 1 mm.        -   1000 seeds weight.—4.5 grams.        -   Seed color.—185B.        -   Seed texture.—Smooth.-   Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Gaura have not been noted    to be resistant to pathogens or pests common to Gaura.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Gaura have been observed to    tolerate temperatures ranging from −10 degrees C. to 35 degrees C.-   Hardiness: zone ‘Gaudros’ is hardy in zones eight (8) and above.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gaura plant named ‘Gaudros,’ assubstantially illustrated and described herein.